Latest news with #Itch.io
WIRED
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- WIRED
Gamers Are Furious About the Censorship of NSFW Games—and They're Fighting Back
Jul 30, 2025 2:51 PM As industry groups decry censorship, players are flooding Visa and Mastercard with complaints and sharing the titles of delisted NSFW games to support developers. The logo of Steam, a video game digital distribution service and storefront developed by Valve Corporation, shown on a smartphone. Photograph:Trade organizations across the games industry and gamers are speaking out against censorship campaigns taking place across Steam and in an effort to help developers who have been unfairly impacted. The push against adult content is being driven by Australian conservative group Collective Shout, whose pressuring of payment processors has forced platforms to mass deindex NSFW content. In the wake of these delistings, which remove games from search, developers are scrambling to understand if their games have been impacted and why. On platforms like Bluesky, users are compiling lists of 'censored artists' with NSFW pieces and unsearchable Itch pages, whether it's games or comics, many of whom identify their work as LGBTQ+ or kink friendly. WIRED was able to find several of these pages via Google, all of which were tagged by their creators in that document as LGBT and NSFW, but not with Itch's search tools. According to the International Game Developers Association, a nonprofit that supports game developers, this kind of censorship disproportionately affects developers who are queer, trans and people of color, on top affecting a creator's income and reputation. 'The right to make mature games with legal adult content is a creative right, just like the right to tell stories about war, death, or love.' In a statement given to WIRED, executive director Jakin Vela says that the IGDA is 'seriously alarmed' by the delistings and payment disruptions of adult-themed games on Steam and Itch. 'Globally and politically, we are at a crossroads for developer rights, creative freedom, and platform accountability,' he says. 'The right to make mature games with legal adult content is a creative right, just like the right to tell stories about war, death, or love.' Over the past few months, Collective Shout has been campaigning to get 'rape and incest' games removed from online platforms. The group began applying pressure to payment processors such as Visa and Mastercard; Valve removed hundreds titles, some of which included incest. Other developers, however, such as the creators of horror game Vile: Exhumed , say their games did not violate these standards. ' Vile: Exhumed was not banned for its use of gore in storytelling, or violent themes,' wrote developer Cara Cadaver in an update. 'It was banned for 'sexual content with depictions of real people,' which, if you played it, you know is all implied, making this all feel even worse. I refuse to censor or make changes to the game, I will not retell a story about these topics in a way to make people who don't understand feel more comfortable.' Valve did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Itch has deindexed all adult NSFW content. According to GameFile, that applies to over 20,000 games. 'Our ability to process payments is critical for every creator on our platform,' founder Leaf Corcoran wrote at the time. 'To ensure that we can continue to operate and provide a marketplace for all developers, we must prioritize our relationship with our payment partners and take immediate steps towards compliance.' Itch did not respond to a request for comment. The company has suspended its Stripe payments on 18+ content 'for the foreseeable future' and is 'actively reaching out to other payment processors that are more willing to work with this kind of content.' Reached for comment, Stripe spokesperson Casey Becker said that the company does not comment on users. 'Generally speaking, we take action when we conclude that users violate our terms of service,' Becker says. 'We do not support adult content." The company has a longstanding policy of not working with adult content services. In a previous statement to WIRED, Collective Shout campaigns manager Caitlin Roper said the organization had had 'no communication with payment processors' outside of an open letter. In a blog posted July 28, however, Collective Shout says it 'approached payment processors because Steam did not respond to us.' According to experts, this is a powerful tactic known as financial censorship that weaponizes financial institutions' aversion to anything controversial. It essentially sidesteps a platform's own rules for what it will allow and puts that decision directly in the hands of payment processors, which impacts what companies are allowed to sell. 'Platforms have long had terms of service restricting content such as non-consensual acts, rape, incest, and material that violates payment processor guidelines,' says Vela. 'The concern today is not the existence of these rules, but rather that their enforcement is adversely impacting games that do not actually violate these restrictions, often without warning or explanation.' In response to one developer on Bluesky, Corcoran said the team is considering 'adding an update to the dashboard to more explicitly show indexing status when the dust settles.' Corcoran did not respond to a request for comment. The German games industry association, game, has called developers' artistic freedom 'fundamental to games as a cultural medium.' Managing director Felix Falk said in a statement that restrictions from payment service providers and gaming platforms should not override what's legally allowed, and that service providers like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal's terms and conditions should not conflict with free expression. 'Creative forms of expression or certain themes as games, such as diversity, must not be targeted by individual interests or campaigns from particularly vocal groups, as is currently being observed on Steam or Falk said. The Entertainment Software Association, which represents the game industry in the US, declined to comment. The UK's trade organization for games and interactive entertainment, Ukie, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In response to the Collective Shout's campaign and the subsequent fallout, the IGDA is gathering information from affected developers, which it says will guide its future actions. 'Games that feature consensual adult content, including queer, kink-positive, or romantic narratives, are easily targeted under vague or overly cautious enforcement, often forcing developers into silence or self-censorship because platforms fear perceived risks associated with hosting legal adult content,' says Vela. The IGDA is advocating for concerned parties to contact financial institutions like Mastercard and Visa directly, as well as support online petitions that ask these companies to stop interfering with entertainment and sex work. 'Mastercard and Visa have increasingly used their financial control to pressure platforms into censoring legal fictional content,' reads the campaign for a petition with over 185,000 signatures. 'Entire genres of books, games, films, and artwork are being demonetized or deplatformed—not because they're illegal, but because they offend the personal values of executives or activist groups' Mastercard and Visa did not respond to requests for comment. Since the delistings, gamers have been organizing on Bluesky, X, and Reddit, encouraging people to call companies like Visa, Mastercard, and Stripe to protest. One artist who makes adult content, who asked to remain unnamed out of fear of their financial accounts being affected, tells WIRED that they were 'hung up on twice by Visa' on Tuesday. 'The first time I was left on hold for about 10 minutes only to have the call suddenly disconnect. The second time I was told by a clearly frustrated rep that he would not connect me to a supervisor, and that Visa is no longer answering questions about policy.' The artist says that while they're approaching these calls as a consumer, because they sell comics on Itch, they're also directly impacted by the new policies. 'My audience, my friends, and my colleagues are all LGBTQ+, and are being overwhelmingly affected by this kind of censorship, where merely existing as a queer person is seen as inherently pornographic and fetishistic,' they say. 'I also want to stress that all of us are working and creating art well within the bounds of the law." The artist describes Collective Shout and Morality in Media as 'puritanical groups using the very real and legitimate fears of child exploitation to push through their right-wing policies.' In the adult entertainment industry, platforms have faced similar pressures involving anti-porn groups claiming to fight sexual exploitation by using payment processors to get content banned. Visa and Mastercard previously cut off payments to Pornhub; OnlyFans briefly banned, and then reversed a stance on sexually explicit content due to bank influence. Just this week, new child online safety laws in the UK kicked in that now require millions of adults to submit to ID document uploads, face scans, credit card checks, and more to access pornography; similar age-verification laws have been implemented in over 20 states. Critics say although these measures are aimed at protecting kids, they open the door for a mountain of privacy and surveillance problems. On its website, Itch has added an additional FAQ to address complaints, including addressing the difference between Itch and Valve's responses. Because Itch is not a closed platform like Steam, the post reads, it has minimal barriers to platform users publishing content. 'We could not rely on user-provided tagging to be accurate enough for a targeted approach, so a broader review was necessary to be thorough' the post reads. '…If we lose our ability to accept payments from a partner like PayPal or Stripe, we impact the ability of all creators to do business. Losing PayPal, for instance, would prevent us from sending payouts to many people.' The company says it is still waiting for final determinations from its payment processors.
Engadget
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Itch.io is removing NSFW games to comply with payment processors' rules
has deindexed and hidden all adult games from its browse and search pages to make sure it doesn't lose the ability to sell with the payment processors it uses. The gaming marketplace, which mainly hosts titles from indie developers, has admitted in an announcement that it wasn't able to give creators advance notice. It "had to act urgently to protect the platform's core payment infrastructure," it said, because the "situation developed rapidly." The website explained that it recently came under the scrutiny of its payment processors after an organization called Collective Shout launched a campaign against Steam and Collective Shout, which describes itself as an Australian grassroots campaigning movement, directed its concerns to the gaming marketplaces' payment processors. It originally focused its campaign around the game No Mercy that revolves around a character engaging in rape and sexual violence. Both and Steam removed the game back in April. In its open letter to payment processors published earlier this month, however, the group said it "discovered hundreds of other games featuring rape, incest and child sexual abuse" on Steam and since then. Steam already banned "content that may violate the rules and standards set forth" by its payment processors, which mostly affected adult games. Now, is also clearly heading that way. At the moment, the website is doing a comprehensive audit of its content and will keep adult games delisted until it's done. After it's finished, it will introduce new compliance measures and will require creators of adult games to confirm that their titles are allowed under the rules of the payment processors linked to their account. admitted that some games will be permanently removed from its marketplace as part of its review and the new policy it will put in place, but it said its "ability to process payments is critical for every creator" on its platform. "To ensure that we can continue to operate and provide a marketplace for all developers, we must prioritize our relationship with our payment partners and take immediate steps towards compliance," the website said in its announcement. Although No Mercy's removal from gaming websites is understandably celebrated by a lot of people, users are concerned about the potential effects of marketplaces adopting anti-porn rules. Queer content, for instance, is disproportionately affected by censorship measures and could be tagged as "adult" or "NSFW" even when it doesn't contain anything sexual.
Geek Girl Authority
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
F2P Friday: BUTTERFLY SOUP 2
Welcome to this week's installment of F2P Friday, where we highlight our favorite Free-2-Play games. The video game market is oversaturated, and sometimes, hidden gems fall through the cracks. This is where we dig for you and feature a new F2P game we know you will enjoy every week. This month, we celebrate Pride with LGBTQ+-focused and inclusive games featured every week in June. Today, we go to bat for our friends and try not to strike out with love in Butterfly Soup 2 . RELATED: Check out our F2P Friday archives CONTENT WARNING: This is a narrative game that explores sensitive topics including homophobia, anxiety, Asian anti-Black racism and China/Taiwan relations. Butterfly Soup 2 Set in 2009, a few months after the events of the first game, Butterfly Soup 2 switches between the perspectives of Diya, Noelle, Akarsha and Min-seo as they navigate high school life in the San Francisco Bay Area. A romantic sports visual novel about gay Asian-American teens playing baseball and falling in love. The Basics Let's get down to the basics of Butterfly Soup 2 , a visual novel by creator Brianna Lei, a solo indie developer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Like most narrative-based games, the story progresses in a series of text events. Selecting dialog choices is done with the cursor and the gameplay is intuitive. You'll follow each of the four protagonists through this perfect summer romance. A full playthrough will take 2-4 hours, so you can either cram it into one sitting or savor the story in shorter sessions, as there are some natural pause points when the game switches perspectives. RELATED: June's Most Anticipated Video Games Are you wondering if you should play Butterfly Soup first? Not really, players can easily play this sequel without playing the first one, like I did. I found that playing the first game deepened my investment in the characters but didn't change my understanding of the storyline. Why Should I Play? So why should you play Butterfly Soup 2 ? This is a coming-of-age story in more than one sense of the word. The writing does an exceptional job of taking the raw feelings of growing up and exploring sexuality in an authentic way. There is also a storyline that highlights some of the challenges of the non-white American experience that translates into poignant moments. The stellar storytelling is supported by the artwork and appropriately paired low-fi soundtrack. The first game and the sequel are free to play, but the creator has some paid DLC content if you want to support them. Watch the trailer below for a better look at the art and download Butterfly Soup 2 from for free. F2P Friday: OUR LIFE: BEGINNINGS AND ALWAYS
Associated Press
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
PFA Designs Announces Global Launch of Educational Adventure Game Time Enforcers on iOS, Android, PC, and Mac
PFA Designs announces the launch of Time Enforcers, an educational time-travel adventure game for iOS, Android, PC, and macOS. Designed for players aged 9-11 and families, it blends action and history, available on multiple platforms like App Store, Steam, and more. United States, April 1, 2025 -- Introduction to Time Enforcers Time Enforcers, developed by PFA Designs, is a groundbreaking educational game that transports players through key moments in world history. Available globally on iPhone, iPad, Android, Fire Tablets, PC, and macOS, this innovative title combines interactive storytelling with historical content, allowing players to explore and learn about significant past events in a dynamic, engaging way. The game is available for download from several major platforms including the App Store, Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Mac App Store, and Steam. A Unique Educational Adventure Designed to make learning about history exciting, Time Enforcers offers players the chance to embark on a cinematic journey through time. Featuring RPG-style missions, players take on the role of heroic agents from the Galactic Space-Time Consortium, tasked with stopping the villainous Chronolith from distorting history. The game's unique digital comic format combines voiceover narration with animated thought and word balloons, making it accessible for players of all reading levels. 'We aimed to create a game that entertains while educating,' said Paul Hebert, President and Creative Director of Time Enforcers. 'The combination of fun gameplay, rich historical content, and accessible storytelling provides an experience that encourages curiosity and learning about the world's past in a way that's engaging for players of all ages.' Key Features of Time Enforcers Learn While You Play: Explore historical periods through missions that blend education and entertainment. Interactive Digital Comic: Animated narration and speech bubbles support a wide range of reading abilities. Multiple Gameplay Modes: RPG exploration and arcade-style missions keep the gameplay fresh and enjoyable. Heroic Cast: Players team up with Time Enforcers agents Kaizen and Amelia to save history from the forces of Chronolith. Family-Friendly: Designed for children aged 9–11, with no ads, no in-app purchases, and offline functionality. Where to Play Time Enforcers is now available on the following platforms: App Store (iOS) Samsung Galaxy Store (Android) Amazon Appstore / (Android, Fire Tablets) Mac App Store (MacOS) Steam / (PC & Mac) Educational Value and Accessibility The game is designed not only as entertainment but also as a tool for literacy development. With no internet connection required, Time Enforcers is perfect for educational settings, home learning, or on-the-go play. Its built-in features promote curiosity about history while enhancing reading comprehension and storytelling skills. It is also aligned with curriculum standards, making it a valuable resource for educators. About PFA Designs PFA Designs is a creative studio specializing in the development of interactive digital media and educational gaming experiences. With a focus on blending entertainment with educational content, PFA Designs strives to create engaging, accessible experiences that encourage learning through play. Social Media Media Contact Paul Hebert Creative Director, PFA Designs Email: [email protected] Phone: (973) 476-5092 Name: Paul Hebert Email: Send Email Organization: PFA Designs Release ID: 89156660
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tunic and 400 other games can be yours for just $10 thanks to a charity Itch.io bundle
Developer Necrosoft Games has assembled another huge bundle of games on to support a good cause. It includes more than 400 games that can be yours if you pony up at least $10 to support wildfire relief efforts in Southern California. Tunic, one of our favorite games of 2022, is arguably the highest-profile game in the California Fire Relief Bundle. Buying this beautiful, Zelda-esque adventure on Steam right now would cost you $30. That alone makes the bundle great value, though it includes over $3,200 worth of games. There are a few other particularly notable games on the list. You may have heard of restaurant sim Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!, the fairly self-explanatory SkateBird or the utterly ridiculous Octodad: Dadliest Catch. There's also Hidden Folks, a charming puzzle title that we reckon is a great way to help you destress. Hundreds of other lesser-known games await your curiosity too. For instance, there's a pretty puzzle-platformer called Hoa that I've been meaning to get around to. Along with video games, there are physical table-top roleplaying games (including a Bugsnax card game you can print and play), asset packs, books, comics and other projects in the bundle. You'll find a few Playdate games in there as well. Note that there are no Steam keys available through this bundle, but it's not too complicated to set up an launcher on Steam Deck. Organizers are aiming to raise $100,000 for CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort). The Los Angeles-based organization "offers direct monetary support to survivors of the fires and supports projects for fire resilience in affected areas (and potential disaster zones)," the bundle's page states. Save for processing fees, all proceeds will go to CORE. The campaign, which will run until just before midnight ET on March 13, is already over three-quarters of the way to its goal. The wildfires that struck Southern California in early January damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures and led to the evacuation of more than 200,000 people. As of February 12, 29 people are known to have died in the fires.
